Thursday, April 9, 2009

Train Your Dog Well

By John Savage

Training your dog is no easy task; any pet owner can tell you that. While many dogs are very eager to please their owners, the bottom line is that they really don't always understand what it is that you are saying and they have very, very short attention spans. These factors can make things difficult for even the most patient of owners, but before you are tempted to throw in the towel, let us consider some simple and basic dog training aids that you can use to help you along the way.

When your dog does what you want her to do it is essential that you offer reward and praise. Don't just resort to punishment when they do something wrong, but reward them when they do it right. Dogs love it when we give them our full attention and approval, and they will do all they can in order to get it. For instance, if you want him to go to the toilet in a certain place then reward them when they do, in fact, go over the top with your praise. This positive reinforcement is vital to your success in getting your dog to do what you want.

There are some actual items you can purchase that can be used as dog training aids and some are more effective than others. Choke collars and chains are being discarded by dog training experts as not only abusive but downright ineffective. However, a good leash and a sturdy collar can be counted as dog training aids because dogs will respond to their owner when he gives them a slight tug. This shouldn't be anything that would hurt the dog, just a gentle reminder of how she needs to respect a stranger's boundary, when she needs to stop barking, and so on. Some may also want to add a muzzle to their list of dog training aids, but these should be used sparingly and only in certain situations. Some dogs just will not stop barking no matter what you do, and keeping in mind that barking is just a part of their instinct the way humans have an instinct to talk to one another, an owner may not be able to do anything other than muzzle their dog when she's out in the yard or if the dog is kept in an apartment where the neighbors may be bothered.

One of the things that I find very satisfying is to sit down and groom my dog with a simple grooming brush. They do not cost much at your local pet store but they can give big rewards. Not only will your dog look good, but it will help them to develop a calm nature. Give it a try and see what I mean. While you are at the pet store purchase a couple of chewy toys, you will be amazed at how much fun both of you will have playing with them, and the bonus is a tired dog that does not get into mischief!

Let me say in conclusion a few words about the bathing of your dog which although at first sight might seem rather an onerous task, can actually be quite enjoyable for both of you. Treat it as a training excercise, and in time you both will come to look forward to it. Number one priority is to make sure you use only shampoo designed for dogs,do not be tempted to use your own shampoo, and then complete the excercise by useing a conditioner which again must be designed for dogs. Have fun, and your dog will enjoy it too.

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